LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Jada Pinkett Smith urged Congress on Wednesday to step up the fight against human trafficking in the United States. The star testified during a Senate foreign relations committee hearing that she plans on raising awareness and spurring action for human trafficking.

"Fighting slavery doesn't cost a lot of money. The costs of allowing it to exist in our nation and abroad are much higher. It robs us of the thing we value most, our freedom," the actress said in a statement.

The 40-year-old said she was inspired by her daughter Willow, who pushed her to get involved in the humanitarian effort. The Hawthorne star lobbied for the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, which provides funding to combat trafficking and help trafficking victims.

The state department estimates that at least $14,500 people are trafficked in the U.S annually.